The plan against Renata Glasc was an unexpected development.
Li Lin's visit to Silco was primarily to inquire about the construction of the arsenal, as well as matters concerning the Chem-Barons.
Silco had long been dissatisfied with several disloyal Chem-Barons. Baron Midenstock was one of them, and Raymond Keane was also on his list to be eliminated.
Li Lin's move to have Raymond Keane arrested through the incident at the asylum aligned with Silco's intentions.
However, Silco also harbored ambitions for his assets, such as the alchemy workshop, factories, and mines.
But with Li Lin's intervention, Raymond Keane's assets would be confiscated by the Piltover Enforcers and then divided among a few families.
Silco harbored some resentment but found it hard to express.
The arsenal had actually been constructed shortly after Li Lin departed for Shurima, and the materials he had listed were already prepared.
Due to Li Lin's absence for the past half year, Silco had instructed his subordinates to store everything to prevent them from corroding and rusting in the harsh environment of Zaun.
Coincidentally, the arsenal was not far from the site chosen by Silco and the Osweld Asylum, though it was more remote, situated in the outskirts where few people ventured.
This suited Li Lin's plans perfectly.
Additionally, he intended to acquire and renovate several abandoned factories near the docks, including the old canned light drug factory where Silco concealed, the Wells winery where he rescued the Kiramman couple.
A total of four sizable sites were available, three for production and one for assembling parts.
At present, the arsenal mainly focused on the production of intelligent mechanical infantry units, while the aerial combat machinery, Storm, was secretly assembled.
With the Kiramman family connection, as long as Lady Gray was not alarmed, the enforcers generally refrained from searching the Council family's industries.
However, aside from modular assembly production, the supply of a large number of intelligent chips was also an issue.
In this regard, Li Lin planned to return to Piltover to discuss with Lady Cassandra, proposing a collaboration with the University of Piltover to establish an intelligent chip production line based on the existing auxiliary chip production.
If possible, he might also collaborate with Chem-baron Lenare, who was engaged in Golem manufacturing and had partnerships with several major Piltover families.
As for the transportation management of these factories besides the Smart Chip production line, Li Lin planned to entrust Mundo for now.
Of course, his current level of knowledge was too limited and needed further development.
Li Lin wrote a new material list for Silco and decided to first visit the arsenal in the lower district of the central square.
Accompanied by Mundo, who was dozing on a bench outside, they boarded the transport once again and descended to the middle square.
After nearly half an hour's journey, under the guidance of one of Silco's trusted aides, Li Lin and Mundo arrived outside the completed arsenal.
The factory's area was considerable, much larger than Osweld's, and comparable in scale to the former Wells winery.
Since it was not registered with the Piltover Enforcers, Li Lin couldn't make any changes to its appearance.
At first glance, the factory resembled an abandoned old factory, not much different from many of the closed factories in Zaun, plain and unremarkable.
However, when Li Lin used his key to open the factory door, the interior environment changed abruptly.
The interior of the factory was extremely clean, indicating that Silco regularly sent people to clean it.
The basic mechanical production equipment had been set up, all covered with specially made plastic sheets to prevent corrosion.
There were also over twenty large metal boxes locked in a room similar to a warehouse, containing materials Li Lin needed half a year ago, more than he had recorded on his list.
After a tour of the arsenal, Mundo returned to Li Lin, who was inspecting mechanical parts, with great curiosity.
"Boss, are you planning to open a factory?"
He glanced at the mechanical parts in the box, a smile on his face. "Before I became a henchman for Baron Raymond Keane, I was a workshop supervisor at a clock parts processing factory. I think I can help."
"Oh?" Li Lin turned back to Mundo with surprise. "Isn't being a factory supervisor a decent job? Why did you end up working for Baron Raymond Keane?"
Mundo scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "That factory went bankrupt..."
Ah... Well, that's all right then.
Li Lin picked up two boxes of parts and asked Mundo to carry one, then walked with him to one of the production line machines.
Although this set of mechanical devices still needed Smart Chip upgrades, basic operation needed to be tested first.
After quickly arranging some materials, Li Lin pulled the switch of the device and instructed Mundo to bring the produced parts to the end of the conveyor belt.
With a piercing sound of metal friction, the machine slowly started running.
After more than ten minutes, Mundo ran over holding one of the parts from the Storm robot. "Boss! This set of machinery seems fine."
Taking the part, Li Lin activated the Data Mind to take a look.
The quality was poor, not up to standard, but at least it could be used normally.
He casually dropped the parts and looked up at the burly man in front of him, who was much taller than himself. "Mundo, I have a task for you."
Mundo immediately stood up straight with solemnity. "Please tell me, I will do my best to complete it!"
"After a few days, when the new batch of materials arrives, I will upgrade and replace all the machines in the factory. You will be responsible for the normal operation here."
Mundo was stunned for a few seconds, his expression puzzled. "Uh? J-just me?"
He stiffly looked around, "But there are so many production lines here..."
"Don't worry about that. I have developed an intelligent chip. All the work here can be fully automated by machinery, as long as the material supply is ensured."
Li Lin patted Mundo on the shoulder. "And, I will rush to make several intelligent infantry robots first, let them help you."
...
...
Back in the upper city, the sun had already half sunk into the western horizon.
Li Lin hurried to the Piltover University apartment area and knocked on Valentina's door.
Caitlyn opened the door, and Li Lin didn't seem surprised at all.
They had already discussed during their time at the asylum that when they returned to Piltover, Caitlyn would take care of Valentina first, after completing the paperwork.
Moreover, Caitlyn also quickly briefed her mother at the police station on the situation at the asylum today.
Madam Cassandra sternly ordered Sheriff Grayson to find the true mastermind behind this incident.
The interrogation of Baron Raymond Keane and Director Osweald would take some time.
During this period, observing Valentina's condition and seeing if she was entangled with the Nightmare was the most critical thing.
Li Lin walked straight into the house and immediately saw Valentina sitting on the sofa, surrounded by five Storm robots, lost in thought.
"How's Valentina?" he whispered to Caitlyn as he slightly lowered his head.
"When I came back in the afternoon, she opened the door for me and drank some specially made sedatives, and then she became like this."
Caitlyn looked worried, "Professor Heimerdinger heard about her situation and came to inquire. The potion was brought by him.
"I told him about your analysis and the case of the missing father and son before. He also suspects that Valentina has attracted the Eternal Nightmare and said he would go back and think of a solution.
"Oh, right, the professor also said that this matter is very serious and asked me to notify you as soon as you come back."
Li Lin nodded and opened the Data Mind to check Valentina's condition.
From the current display on the system panel, her condition had improved a lot, at least not as severe as when he saw her in the morning.
But besides this, there was an inexplicable negative status, "Speechless Fear," on her Personal Status panel, but there was no explanation.
Li Lin's expression couldn't help but change slightly.
He was very familiar with this term, it was an ability of the Eternal Nightmare, Nocturne, to spread fear.
Valentina's condition was not optimistic. At the latest, in a few days, Nocturne would come looking for her, and then she would be devoured by this demon who loved to feast on nightmares and fear.
If luck wasn't on their side, it wasn't impossible for it to happen tonight...
After all, she didn't have this status in the morning.
Li Lin's gaze through the window, looked towards the horizon about to be swallowed by the darkness.
"Caitlyn, take Valentina with us. We're going to see Professor Heimerdinger right now."
Caitlyn raised her eyebrows slightly. "Now? Valentina has taken sedatives. She's not suitable for going out right now..."
"Her situation is very critical now, we can't delay any longer!"
(End of this chapter)